Friday, 26 January 2018

I think it was in 2005 that, as a mum volunteer, I went on a school trip with my son and daughter's class at Lea Primary to Sudbury Hall's Museum of Childhood. Another mum (my pal Sue Proffitt) and I were "responsible" for a lovely group of girls and we had a fab day exploring, enjoying, giggling and picnicking.

Imagine my surprise when, 12 years later and completely out of the blue, I was contacted by The National Trust to run children's book workshops at Sudbury Hall as part of World Book Day weekend 3/4 March 2018 😮!

It seems my decision over Christmas to focus more on my writing was the right one.....

So today I'm not venturing into the studio but going to snuggle up on the settee with a mug of hot chocolate, and Bruno of course, to write a short story set at Sudbury Hall for these new writing and illustrating workshops.

Saturday, 13 January 2018

Following a lovely family Christmas, a New Year road trip to the coast in Freddy and now guests have headed home I'm slowly getting back into things, with the emphasis on slowly!

First day back in my studio was a bit nippy but a productive one prepping new work for a new stockist

One of the things I love about January, apart from starting a brand new diary, is knowing Spring is round the corner, that nights will slowly get lighter and the days longer. I do love being snugged up in Winter though and I'm writing this in front of a roaring fire with Bruno curled up next to me on the settee

pic from a previous zzzz session

they say it's a dog's life and they're not wrong

I have decided that this year I am going to give more time to my writing and the illustration side of my business. I'm hoping to finish the book I started this time last year and I've also started another one. Both are children's books set within the Peak District featuring new animal characters, some being distant relatives to Hippity Hop!

New for 2018 is Hippity Hop's Holiday Art Club which I will be running during school half terms at Tansley Village Hall for children and families. please email if interested (DBS checked)

I will also be co-running a programme of Art Workshops this year at Tansley Village Hall kicking off on Wednesday 17th January with Lunch a Learn - Still Life and Soup. Booking essential more info here

I'm looking forward to the Art Group starting again on Wednesday 24th January. We meet 10.30 to 12.30 at a cosy and warm Tansley Village Hall on a regular basis and new members are always welcome. It's open to all creatives who want to spend time with like minded people and work on their own project. It's £5 per session and you can drop in at any of them with no need to book. more info

anyway Bruno has woken and is ready for a run in the woods so catch up soon...

Thursday, 30 November 2017

It's been a busy November with printing orders and getting ready for my two week Christmas Exhibition as part of Medley Group at The Gothic Warehouse, Cromford (next to The Wharf Shed Cafe)

The exhibition runs for two weeks 1-15 December and I'm looking forward to seeing friends and customers old and new

and I will be here on the following days 10-4 ....there's a cafe next door and across the road at Cromford Mills complex

Saturday 2nd

Sunday 3rd

Tues 5th

Wed 6th

Thur 7th

Sat 9th

Sun 10th

Mon 11th

Wed 13th

They are a dog friendly venue which is fab so I will be joined on these days by my studio companion, Bruno, who is looking forward to being surrounded again by art, jewellery, pottery, glass and Christmas gifts from other Medley members and his Secret Santa Surprise Boxes should be fun!

I will be introducing some new framed mini prints too which make affordable gifts or a collection

There's lots of other Christmas events going off at Cromford Mills during our exhibition which can be found on their website #dogfriendly

Thursday, 26 October 2017

I've always loved the excitement of starting a new notebook or diary but this time my shiny new 2018 diary is already looking rather worn and tatty as lots of stuff planned for next year

As some of you may know about 14 years ago I ran a Saturday Art Club for children and I loved it. Some of the girls now have their own children, have grown into beautiful young women and some still wave as they pass me in their cars as they go off to work. My own daughter has gone on to qualify as a Montessori Teacher now working in London.

I love working with kids as I’m still one at heart and enjoy being around them. Whilst my kids were at pre-school and then primary I was employed by Notts County Council as a Pre-School Playgroup Worker and then Derbyshire County Council as Playground Supervisor and After School Club Assistant at Lea Primary School. Happy days indeed.

So I’m really excited that for 2018 I will be running an art club for children and families during the school holidays Places will be limited so I am letting you know so you can express an interest

Thursday, 12 October 2017

Since my last Blog our Cornwall holiday at the beginning of September seems a long while ago. So much has happened and been planned since then and I've got lot's to tell you. I promise to keep it as short as possible and not to rabbit on!

Diary Date (notice I haven't mentioned the "c" word)

I have redesigned my website adding some new features and products.. here are just a few changes

We snuck in a weekend away in Freddy too as Autumn is my favourite season and some days the sun is still powerful. Bruno is loving his adventures in Freddy and here he is checking we've put his food in!

This week I had a great day at an International Big Draw Event which Purple and Grey had organised and held at Creswell Crags near Worksop... a lovely site full of history and artists all dotted around sketching! A great place to walk round the lake and Bruno loves it

Sunday, 27 August 2017

Hope you are having a lovely Summer enjoying time with the kids, family or your loved ones wherever you have been or are going.

July and August have been a busy few months with work and I am enjoying the freedom that my new home studio brings so we have been getting away most weekends.. I'll tell you more below!

Studio 61 Printing business has been keeping us busy and I've enjoyed being out and about on the road meeting new customers and delivering their prints and any originals that we have scanned. (We post work out too)www.studio61printing.co.uk

Purple and Grey is in holiday mode but our Art Group did meet at Tansley Village Hall last week where I ran a workshop. We have a lovely friendly bunch of artists of all abilities and have many laughs. Our next Art Group is on Wednesday 27 Sept 10.30-12.30 and it's £4.95 with lots of free tea and coffee. New members welcome

Purple and Grey have lots of Autumn/Winter events planned including networking at Beechenhill Farm, The Big Draw at Creswell Crags as well as private consultations. All info is on our website where you can sign up to newsletter. (for those that don't know I am Purple!)www.purpleandgrey.co.uk

New Mills Art Trail is part of New Mills Festival 2017 and I will have three pieces on display.Art Trail Info

The Tractor Shed at Riber

One thing I am loving is the ability to get out and about so when a regular customer wanted to purchase more artwork for her holiday cottages I was able to take a selection along and have a sneaky peek before it opened for business. I am pleased to say that three originals are now hanging in The Tractor Shed at Riber which is a fab romantic hideaway, a well behaved dog is welcome and is now open for bookings!

Commissions - I love working to commission and am now taking bookings to get stuck into when I return from holiday..I'll tell you about that in a minute. Prices start from £80-£800 whether it be a painting of your home, a favourite view or special place in oils or watercolours. (Gift Vouchers available) Happy to chat more and work to your requirements. Just email me please

New family member - please welcome Freddy the VW Camper. We have been sneaking off in him whenever we can so if you've not seen him over on my INSTAGRAM then here he is.

As you can see Bruno loves him and joins us on every trip

We are still keeping Stan the Van as he is my daily drive and also part of the family.

Holidays - we are heading off to Cornwall soon and I will be back in the studio Monday 18th September. I hope it as hot as when we were there in June but just to be on the beach and by the sea whatever the weather suits me fine. I intend to do lots of reading but am also taking my paints and drawing box and hope to do a few paintings sat on the beach looking across St Ive's Bay

I will be checking emails as I'm nosey!

I'll try and post onto my Facebook page but mainly I prefer Instagram now as no politics, moaning or horrible cruelty to animals photos!